1 - Check you have everything in your Box:
- Pre-cut and Punched Leather Pieces
- 1x Turn Lock Hardware
- 4x Binder Clips
- 2x Keyring loops
- 2x Colours of Handmade Waxed Thread
- 6x Canvas Cloth
- 4x Sewing Needles
- Illustrated Learner Guide
You will also need:
- Small pair of scissors
- A little pot of water
- Your quality time, 2 - 3 hours
2 - Measure the Thread
Your Leather Eve Bag has 3 stitching sections so you will need to cut 3 lengths of thread measuring 95cm (x1) and 130cm (x2). Start by choosing the thread colour that you would like to stitch with, then measure and cut the pieces of wax thread.
3 - Burnish the Edges
Next you will need to seal some of the leather edges using a traditional technique called ’Burnishing’. Use the diagram above to find the edges that need burnishing at this stage.
Take your finger tip and dab a small amount of water on the edge of the leather. Then take your cotton cloth and gently rub the edges, you will see the rough edge turn smooth and shiny.
*Top tip - You can use a cotton bud for express precision when apply your water*
4 - Thread the Needle
A. Thread the eye of the needle with the 95cm piece of thread.
B. Pull through 6-8cm of thread and then pierce the thread.
C. Pierce the thread again at 1cm distance along the long piece of thread.
D. Holding the needle tip, pull down the entire thread. This is called locking the needle.
Your kit includes a Leathercraft Basics instructions guide. Please refer to the Threading the Needle section for further diagrams and instructions.
5 - Locate Holes for Alignment
Take time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:
6 - Place and Clip Pieces Together
Place your two bag pieces together and use the needles to help align the holes correctly. Clip in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather.
7 - Start Stitching
Start stitching by pushing the needle through the top hole of the back stitching section. Pull the needle through so that there is an equal amount of thread on either side.
8 - Locking Backstitch
This stitch section requires a locking backstitch to add durability. It may look like you have started 1 stitch down from the start, but in this step you will go back on yourself to create the locking stitch before starting your saddle stitch.
A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece away from yourself.
B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch.
Your thread will now be at the first stitching hole.
A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
9 - Use Saddle Stitch
A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
10 - Secure the Thread with Backstitch
Once you reach the end, saddle stitch back on yourself for 2 stitches to secure the thread.
11 - Cut and Tidy Threads
Cut the thread and use your needle to neaten the loose ends.
12 - Locate Holes for Alignment
Take time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:
13 - Place and Clip Pieces Together
Place your two bag pieces rough sides together and use the needles to help align the punched holes correctly. Clip the pieces in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather.
14 - Start Stitching
Following step 4, re-thread your needles with a 130cm length of thread.
Start stitching by pushing the needle through the top hole of the back stitching section. Pull the needle through so that there is an equal amount of thread on either side.
15 - Secure with a Bar Tack
Make a simple secure bar tack stitch by bringing the right hand needle up and over to the other side, pushing the needle through and back to the right side, creating a loop of thread. Pull this firmly closed and repeat 3 times.
16 - Use Saddle Stitch
- A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your Bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
- B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
- C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
- D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
17 - Locate Holes for Alignment
Take time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:
18 - Place and Clip Pieces Together
Place your two bag pieces rough sides together and use the needles to help align the punched holes correctly. Clip the pieces in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather.
19 - Start Stitching
Start stitching by pushing the needle through the top hole of the back stitching section. Pull the needle through so that there is an equal amount of thread on either side.
20 - Secure with a Bar Tack
Make a simple secure bar tack stitch by bringing the right hand needle up and over to the other side, pushing the needle through and back to the right side, creating a loop of thread. Pull this firmly closed and repeat 3 times.
21 - Use Saddle Stitch
- A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
- B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
- C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
- D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
Continue with saddle stitch until you reach the point detailed below:
22 - Locate Holes for Alignment
Take time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:
23 - Place and Clip Pieces Together
Fold the bag to bring the next stitch section together and use the needles to help align the punched holes correctly. Clip the pieces in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather.
24 - Use Saddle Stitch
For this step you will need to account for the inner curve dart, this acts as a hole when stitching.
- A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
- B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
- C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
- D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
25 - Use Saddle Stitch
Continuing on from the preview step you will see the holes line up again. The corner dart is now locked in place.
- A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
- B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
- C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
- D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
Continue with saddle stitch until you reach the point detailed below:
26 - Locate Holes for Alignment
Take time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:
27 - Place and Clip Pieces Together
Fold the bag to bring the next stitch section together and use the needles to help align the punched holes correctly. Clip the pieces in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather.
28 - Use Saddle Stitch
For this step you will need to account for the inner curve dart which acts as a hole when stitching.
- A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
- B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
- C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
- D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
29 - Use Saddle Stitch
Continuing on from the preview step you will see the holes line up again. The corner dart is now locked in place.
- A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
- B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
- C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
- D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
30 - Secure with a Bar Tack
Make a simple secure bar tack stitch by bringing the right hand needle up and over to the other side, pushing the needle through and back to the right side, creating a loop of thread. Pull this firmly closed and repeat 3 times.
31 - Secure the Thread with Backstitch
When you reach the end, use saddle stitch to stitch back on yourself for 3 stitches to secure the thread.
32 - Cut and Tidy Threads
Cut your thread and use your needle to neaten the loose ends.
33 - Mold Leather
Gently mould the the edges of your bag to give the base a nice rounded shape.
34 - Final Burnish
Next, burnish all the outer edges of the bag.
35 -Adding the Strap
36 - Inserting Strap Piece
With the Smooth side facing down, thread the leather strap piece under the strap holders. After inserted, make sure the strap is even.
37 - Secure Strap
Tie a classic knot in the end of the strap.
38 - Finishing Touches
Twist the turn lock hardware 90 degrees to secure the bag flap
We would love to see your creation! Share it with us and our crafting community so we can celebrate your leathercraft dexterity. Tag us @artisans.life on Instagram (using the hashtag #artisanslife), drop us an email or leave us a review on our website to tell us what you enjoyed most about the making experience.
P.S. Did you recognise our Keyring Kit wrapped in your thread? Now you can practice your leathercraft skills further by crafting your very own leather keyring! Click here to access the Keyring Craft Kit instructions blog.
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